Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie sobbed as he was honoured at the Assembly of First Nations special chiefs meeting for his work to document the story of a First Nations boy who never made it home from residential school.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looked on as Downie was embraced by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde to loud cheers from the meeting.
Downie, who is fighting terminal brain cancer, was also wrapped in a special star blanket.
Chiefs from across Canada have gathered for three days of meetings to discuss issues including resource development, the aboriginal youth suicide crisis and missing and murdered indigenous women.
Earlier in the day, Bellegarde called on indigenous people to take the lead in the fight against climate change an issue sure to dominate the agenda for a first ministers gathering later this week in Ottawa.
He says discussion is needed to foster understanding on why some First Nations are divided over resource development projects.